This year Cyber Monday - the online equivalent of Black Friday - falls on November 26. With Christmas now just a month away, there isn’t a better time to grab a bargain without having to hit the high street.

But more than a quarter of all frauds took place online last year, and keeping your credit or debit card details safe when making online purchases is more important than ever.

Fortunately, the experts at moneyguru.com are here to share their top tips on how to avoid the unwanted stress and keep those fraudsters at bay while you grab a bargain…

Shop safely online

Online shopping has made bagging the perfect Christmas gift a dream, but it’s extremely important to make sure you’re shopping securely on the web. Before entering your card details when placing an order, make sure the security icon (which is either a locked padlock or unbroken key symbol) is shown in your browser address bar.

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Avoid entering your card details on a public or shared computer, as details can sometimes be saved automatically. If you don’t have access to a private computer or device, ensure you log off and request for the device to ‘forget’ the details before leaving. It’s also wise to email your order details to yourself to ensure you have proof of payments being made.

Scout out scams

Telephone and ‘telemarketing’ scams often target the vulnerable, such as the elderly, but with scam artists getting savvier anyone can be fooled and it can cause deep upset and frustration. If you are offered a free gift, but they ask for your card details to pay for shipping for example, this is almost certainly a con. Never give away your card details over the phone, even your bank or building society won’t ask you for this information, so stay clear of the scammers!

Keep your eye on the prize

When making a transaction, never let your credit card or debit card out of your sight. It’s easy to hand your card over and not think twice about watching where it goes or who has access to it but imagine it as handing over your house keys… you wouldn’t take your eyes off those would you?

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To ensure that you and your plastic stay safe this Cyber Monday, make sure you do what you can to prevent fraudulent behaviour. Your bank or building society will have a contact number if you do come across suspicious activity or fall victim to fraud, so make sure you contact them as soon as you can.

The Money Guru’s teachings are simple yet powerful. The more financial understanding you have, the wiser your decisions. For more financial enlightenment and guidance from the Guru, check out https://www.moneyguru.com/wisdom today.

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